Grandma Pet was my maternal grandmother. Her name was Amelia Grayer born in Scio Township, MI on 14 Sep 1885. She spent most of her life living in Ann Arbor, MI where she had a tourist home at 520 N. Main Street. Amelia married my grandfather, Grover Cleveland Ream on 26 Sep 1912 in Ann Arbor, MI when she was 27 years old.
photo of my Grandmother Amelia Grayer Ream of Ann Arbor, MI
I was born in 1954 and also lived in Ann Arbor, MI. I visited Grandma Pet’s home regularly and was always delighted to be there. Grandma was an exceptionally loving and kind woman and adored all 5 of her granddaughters.
A visit to her home usually included watching the Lawrence Welk show. We especially liked the Lennon Sisters who would often make a guest appearance on that show. Other shows included seeing Minnie Pearl on a show called “Hee Haw.”
Grandma’s large front porch housed several rocking chairs. As young girls, we could sit on the front porch and watch the parades that came down N. Main Street including the marching French Dukes. A riddle jar made for lots of fun. Grandma saved jokes by cutting them out of the newspaper and putting them into a glass jar. We could reach our hand into the jar and read our joke out loud. We loved to laugh. Grandma loved to laugh.
Food on the porch might be a purple cow (a vanilla ice cream float with Grape Nehi soda.) Grandma delighted in making the foods that each granddaughter liked the best. For me that was her french fries – she would make those while also making Nifflies (a German noodle dumpling of sorts) for my sisters.
Spending an overnight at Grandma’s house was special. We would sleep together in her bedroom off of the dining room and each evening, Grandma would recite the 23rd psalm in her sweet soothing voice.
We all knew we were loved.
In the Dining Room at Grandma’s house was a large piece of furniture referred to as a high-boy. Above the high-boy was a curio shelf that housed her collection of miniature pitchers. We did not play with these, but we were often held up high enough to look at them. The other items of interest on top of that high-boy were candies. I especially remember the Neapolitan coconut candies that were strawberry, vanilla and chocolate flavored. Yum!
The little pitchers ended up in my possession. For many years, they have remained packed carefully in a box between wood shavings. Recently, I opened the box and picked several to put out in my tiny house. Good thing they take up so little real estate. I am also excited about giving some to my sisters and cousins. We all loved Grandma Pet. She was magical.
The front porch was a great place for a row of rocking chairs facing N. Main Street, Ann Arbor, MI Grandma lived next door to Bones and Madalyn who were like a bonus extra grandparents.I found these photos on the internet in 2012 – much of the house had remained the same as I remember it from the 1950’s and 60’s.
Juan Hess pictured with his grandsons … Robert Lawrence Hess on the left and George Kellogg Hess on the right
When Juan James Hess was born on May 12, 1850, in Michigan, his
father, George, was 38 and his mother, Mary Ann Higbee, was 36. He married Dorothy
(Dora) Bishop on October 29, 1874, in Berrien, Michigan. They had four
children in 16 years. He died on January 15, 1929, in Berrien, Michigan,
at the age of 78, and was buried in Michigan.
The children of Juan and Dora:
#1 Hattie Hess 1875-1880 Died of Diphtheria at age 4 yr. 6 mo.
#2 Perry B. Hess 1880-1880 Died at 2 months of age
#3 Robert DeMontel Hess 1882-1907
He had a very quiet wedding on October 22nd, 1904 to Miss Alice King.
The wedding was quiet and had not been announced because of the
bereavement of Robert over the loss of his mother Dora who had passed
away on Oct. 15, 1904. Both Robert and Alice were graduates of Benton
Harbor college. Robert and Alice had a daughter Hattie Lenore Hess who
was born in 1905. In the 1910 census both Alice (now the widow of
Robert) and their daughter Hattie Lenore were living with Alice’s parents.
Robert’s death certificate shows that he died from abscess contributed to
by appendicitis.
#4 George Kellogg Hess, Sr. 1891-1969 (my grandfather)
Birth September 6, 1891 in Benton Harbor, Berrien, Michigan, USA
Death January 10, 1969 in Saint Cloud, Osceola, Florida, USA
Marriage to Henrietta Spruhan on June 25, 1921. George and Henrietta
had 2 sons…George Kellogg Hess, Jr. and Robert Lawrence Hess
News Articles:
20 Dec 1924 The News Palladium Benton Harbor, MI
January 15, 1929, The News Palladium, Benton Harbor, MI
Gottlieb Groshans was the Great, Great Grandfather of my children.
When Gottlieb Groshans (or Grosshans) was born on 25 Nov 1847, his father, Jean Jacques “Jacob” Grosshans, was 39 and his mother, Marie Sigwalt Grosshans, was 30. He married Salome Lauffer in 1870. They had eight children in 17 years. He died on 25 Aug 1919, in Kankakee, Illinois, at the age of 71, and was buried in Streator, Illinois.
Recently, I have discovered that Gottlieb’s name originally was Theophile Grosshans. Theophile is a French name and means “loved by God.” When the French region of Alsace where Theophile was placed under German control, Theophile needed to change to a German name. The German name he selected was Gottlieb because it also means “one who loves God.” I find it remarkable that he kept the meaning of his name intact even though he had to make a name change! The 1871German take over of the Alsace region occurred after the German Empire was victorious in the Franco Prussian War. The German occupation lasted until 1918. So, Gottlieb was 24 when his homeland became controlled by the German Empire.
As you can see by time of the 1919 death notices below, he was using the name Gottlieb Groshans.
26 Aug 1919 The Times, Streator IL
Here are the children that I have found in my research:
THE 1900 US CENSUS (note that Salome is not listed in this census as she was deceased)
In the 1900 US census, he is listed as Gottliebes G*Shous. (Please remember that the census takers did not worry about writing what they “heard.”) In the 1900 census, we learn this information: He is the head of household with a birth date listed as October 1849. So, the there is a birth date conflict as he was actually born in 1847. Did he want to appear younger in the census or was there a poor note-taker? He states his occupation as Farm Laborer. He owns a home and it looks like it was on 6th Street in LaSalle, Streator, IL. He states that his birth place was France and that this was also the birth place of his parents. Gottlieb states that he immigrated to the USA in 1886.
In this 1900 census, Gottlieb is living with his son Louis who is employed as a coal miner. Louis’ birth date is listed as October 1872. The census states that Louis was born in France.
In this 1900 census, Gottlieb is also living with his daughter Zetmar. Her birth date is listed as May of 1877 in France. Her occupation is as a garment worker. (My other research shows she may have used the name Sarah and that her birth date may not match this census???)
In this 1900 census, Gottlieb is also living with his daughter Annie. Her birth date is listed as May 1881. She was born in Illinois. Her occupation is also listed as a garment worker.
In this 1900 census, Gottlieb is also living with his daughter Louisa who was born in July of 1884 in Illinois. The census shows that Louisa was 15 years old and still in school.
Gottlieb had a brother named Henry Grosshans. Henry married Salome Hartweg on November 5, 1873. They had nine children in 17 years. He died on May 13, 1930.
On 14 Feb 1945, Robert Hess proposed to Gretchen Ream. Gretchen was 19 years old. Robert was 20 years old. As the article above states, Robert was a V-12 trainee in the University of Michigan Engineering School. The date of Robert’s entry into active service had been 1 July 1943. Gretchen and Robert had met in 1943, so they actually waited to become engaged. In 1943, Robert’s residence was at 426 Hamilton Place, Ann Arbor, MI and Gretchen lived with her mother at 520 N. Main Street, Ann Arbor.
At the time of their engagement, our country was still involved in WWII which we had entered the war in December 1941 after Pearl Harbor. In 1945, Gretchen was a secretary for Economy Baler Co.
APRIL 1945
On 1 April 1945, Easter Sunday, the photo below was taken of Gretchen and Robert having fun with a bike and a wagon. It was one of Robert’s favorite photographs.
On 10 April 1945, Gretchen’s brother Robert Ream received a Purple Heart after his leg injury.
On 13 Apr 1945, Gretchen and Robert attended the Slide Rule Ball at the Michigan Union. She saved her dance card, autographed by the entertainer Louis Prima and his band.
On 21 April 1945, Robert and his brother George Hess graduate from the University of Michigan with honors.
MAY 1945
10 May 1945 – this article is about Gretchen’s brother, Robert Ream who was receiving the Oak Cluster.
On 2 November 1945, Robert Hess was appointed an Ensign in the US Navy.
Robert Hess served as Junior Division officer, main engines division, on a heavy cruiser at sea and later as auxiliary Division officer on a pair of light escort carriers.
On 30 November 1945 and 8 December 1945, Helen Mayer (Gretchen’s Aunt) hosted bridal showers.
On 15 December 1945, Gretchen and Robert were wed.
On 16 Dec 1945, Robert and Gretchen began their honeymoon. I am fairly sure that their residence was 719 Oakland Ave., Ann Arbor, MI (see 1947 Ann Arbor Directory below- note that in 1947 George and Ruth Hess lived at 1107 Oakland Ave.)
My maternal grandmother was Amelia Grayer Ream and my maternal grandfather was Grover Cleveland Ream.
I was aware that my maternal grandparents had “visited” California, but it is only recently that I realized my grandparents actually lived there for a period of time that was approx. 3 years long.
This blog showcases the materials that I have collected to show this “California” time frame of my grandparents life.
Grover and Amelia were married on 26 Sept 1912 in Ann Arbor, MI. The photo below indicates that after a honeymoon, they resided at 554 Elizabeth Street, Ann Arbor, MI.
It seems that they only stayed in Ann Arbor for a short while after their wedding.
The article below is from 11 November of 1913. It appeared in the Ann Arbor News as an announcement of the birth of twin boys. Our family was told the boys were named Richard and Robert.
The article reads: Twin boys were born November 7 to Mr. and Mrs. Grover Ream of Santa Clara, Cal. Mrs. Ream was formerly Miss Amelia Grayer of this city.
The article below was published in the Ann Arbor News on 19 August 1915. As you can see, Grover and Amelia have left California and on their way home to Ann Arbor because Amelia’s father is dying.
My mother told me that the picture below was taken in California. It is a photo of her parents with an unknown man on the left side of the photo.
This timeline of facts suggests that Grover and Amelia moved to California shortly after their 1912 marriage and returned to Ann Arbor, MI in 1915.
26 Sep 1912 marriage in Ann Arbor MI
7 Nov 1913 birth of twin boys in Santa Clara, CA
3 Nov 1914 Voter registration records for Grover C. Ream in Santa Clara, CA
19 Aug 1915 Grover and Amelia return to Ann Arbor because her father is dying.
HERE ARE MY REFLECTIONS AND FINDINGS ON EDWARD HIGBEE – 8TH GREAT GRANDFATHER
As with several of my other blogs, I continue to ponder that a majority of my direct ancestors (and 53% of my DNA) are from Great Britain. Edward Higbee, the subject of this blog, is from my father’s side of the family. Until the recent past, I had not known much about the extended side of my father’s family or his connection to Great Britain heritage. Instead, I had based my beliefs about the nationality of my ancestors only on my mother’s side of the family. I had ALWAYS identified myself as being of German descent. In my generation of baby boomers, it was common to be asked where your family immigrated from and I always gave the same answer, “Germany!” I only mention this point, because it is quite a process to try to redefine thoughts of MYSELF! There have been many “eye-opening” experiences since I became fully immersed in genealogy research. I have started to “unpack” stories that are in a very real sense my own. The information for the story of my 8th great grandfather has been helped by the fact that his life has been carefully and diligently researched by many genealogists.
Edward Higbee, my 8th great grandfather, was from Ivinghoe, Buckinghamshire, England. He was born on 2 February 1616. (I think this is quite a nice birthday for an 8th Great Grandfather as it is also one of my favorite holidays- Ground Hog’s Day).
Edward’s father was John Higbed (note the variation of spelling) and his mother was Ursula Blacknell.
“Edward Higby was born of yeoman stock, and probably grew to manhood in the parish of Ivinghoe. His father was altogether likely a tenant farmer, holding his land under the lord of the manor by copyhold. This method of holding land had become by this time similar to our estates in fee simple. The farmers of Ivinghoe sent their cattle and farm products to the London market. The beef cattle were driven to London the same as the farmers here drove their cattle to market one hundred years ago. Some of the Higbys dealt in cattle, and one was a butcher in London; and young men of this section went down to London for employment. The section in which the Higbys lived, about twenty miles wide, extended to within about fifteen miles of London; and now all this country up nearly as far as Ivinghoe, being in part hilly and wooded, is the playground of London.”
As an aside, many of our ancestors would have homes located close to London or in London.
Edward Higbee “crossed the pond” and immigrated to America. He settled in Pequot Harbor, Connecticut in approximately 1646. He would have been a very young man of 29 years at that time. In 1650, he moved and lived in Stratford, Connecticut,and was one of the early colonists who settled in that area. Life was often hard for these early colonists. Edward did not stay in Stratford long. He and his father-in-law had become active in trading and this occupation frequently took them to Long Island (at this time, Long Island was also a part of Connecticut.) Edward would become a resident of Long Island. I understand his trading among other things was in rum business. In 1659 Edward did not return from one of his trading expeditions. It was feared that he had been lost at sea.
There are some great stories about his final return from that trip after a lenghthy absence. Imagine my surprise to find out that Edward was actually arrested for running towards his wife and kissing her which was against the law to do on the Sabbath! He had to pay a fine for this action! But, he did live in Connecticut at a time when people in colonial New England were subject to laws limiting what they could do on Sunday. These laws were commonly known as the blue laws.
By 1664, Edward had purchased land in Middletown. The land purchase includes a deed from Scankeet (native American Indian). The deed is referenced in the book link that I provided at the beginning of this blog.
Edward married 2 times. He first married Jedidah Skidmore in Queens, New York, in 1648 when he was 32 years old. His wife Jedidah passed away on October 17, 1660, in Livingston, New York, at the age of 36. They had been married 12 years.
At the age of 46, Edward took his second wife Lydia Smith. Lydia was 19 years old when they were married. The age difference is startling to me in my present day culture! It was from this 2nd marriage that my family line continues with the birth of my 7th great grandfather, Samuel Higbee.
Lydia would only live to the age of 40. Edward died at the age of 83 years old.
A family story of my Great Grandmother – Amelia Wisthoff Grayer 1861 – 1955
My great grandmother was born as Emilie Wisthoff. She married my great grandfather in Washtenaw County, MI when she was only 15 years old! We were told that my great grandfather’s name was August Grayer. He was 29 when he married his 15 year old bride.
I was told by my mother that at some point the Krueger family changed their name to Grayer. My great grandfather was born with the last name of Krueger. At the time they were married, in February of 1877, he was still using the name of Krueger.
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My great grandmother was born with the name of Emilie Wisthoff. Her first name would eventually become Amelia. During this blog, I will refer to her as Amelia.
In 1871—a child of only ten years old—she was on her way to America. Amelia Wisthoff was leaving Prussia while the rest of her family remained behind for a time. She traveled under the care of a wealthy family who took her along so that she could serve as a playmate and companion to their daughter. From what I understand, this family was kind and generous to Amelia and allowed her to be educated alongside their own child.
I have been unable to locate any ship records bearing Amelia’s name, nor do I know the identity of the family who sponsored her passage. When I was younger, I took a few handwritten notes while talking with my mother about our family history. From those conversations, I was told that Amelia came to America on a steam vessel. At present, the only verification I have for this story comes from my mother’s recollection and from the fact that Amelia’s arrival in America clearly predates the arrival of the rest of her family.
It was not until 1906 that the United States required women—daughters and wives—to petition independently for citizenship. Prior to that, women held the legal status of their father or husband. Because Amelia arrived many years before 1906, researching her immigration has proven especially difficult. There is no citizenship packet or formal documentation for her, as none was required at the time, nor would it have been possible for a woman to complete such paperwork.
As a result, the most reliable way to estimate Amelia’s immigration date is through U.S. census records. In the 1880 and 1900 censuses, she lists her place of birth as Prussia. By the 1910 census, however, she identifies her birthplace as Germany rather than Prussia. This shift is easily explained by the frequent changes in national borders during that period. My mother told me that Amelia came from an area near Berlin, which aligns with this historical context.
Here is a map from Prussia in 1871: (source is lib.utexas.edu/maps/historical)
Amelia Wisthoff Grayer, was my maternal great grandmother. I was one year old at the time of her death in 1955. I am fortunate to have photographs of her and my great grandfather, August Grayer.
I am also fortunate to have photographs of myself with my great grandmother.
Our family called this strong and lovely woman “Grandma Grayer”. She lived a long full life. My mother was close to her grandmother and would spend much of her childhood living with and even sharing a bedroom with Grandma Grayer.
Grandma Grayer was still a child – age 15 – when she married our 29 year old great grandfather in Washtenaw County, MI.
It is very confusing that our great grandparents Grandma Grayer and August Grayer had originally been known by the last name Krueger. They used this name when they were married. I am so glad that my mother explained to me that the family had changed their name from Krueger to Grayer – otherwise I would not have believed the ancestry results. August was born in Württemberg Germany.
Washtenaw County records of the marriage on 1 Feb 1877 in Ann Arbor, MI
In her adult life, Grandma Grayer spent much of her time doing amazing crocheting and tatting. My sister, Mary Ann, carries on the tradition of advanced crochet skills and has made heirloom blankets, snow flake art pieces, and lovely hats – all with a great sense of color and style. It is nice to know this tradition carries on in our family- a special type of legacy.
But, now, back to 1871. Grandma Grayer had started the voyage to the U.S.A. as a 10 year old. The destination would eventually lead her to Ann Arbor, MI. Ann Arbor had a large German settlement. It seems that about 75% of the Germans who came to Washtenaw County were from Württemberg. My mother had told me that Grandma Grayer had come from a place near to Berlin. I do not have any documents that support her German city of origin.
Grandma Grayer’s parents would follow Amelia within a year, arriving stateside in 1872. My family called her parents (my great great grandparents) “Grandfather Wisthoff” and “Little Grandma”. They were William Wisthoff and Ernestine (or Ernestina) Nevroth. We also have family photographs of these great great grandparents.
Grandmother Grayer was one of 4 girls and had 3 younger sisters.
The 2nd in the birth order of the girls and Grandma Grayer’s sister was Hulda Grayer. At the age of 19, Hulda married Adolph Kern in Washtenaw County. In the 1910 census, Hulda and Adolph live at 717 N. Main Street. Adolph worked in a flouring mill as a miller. Hulda stayed at home and worked as a seamstress. Huldah’s 1927 death certificate gives her address as 926 Catherine Street, Ann Arbor.
The 3rd sister in the birth order was Emma Grayer who arrived in America at the age of 5. Emma would marry Fred William Ehrenberg who was a blacksmith and owned his own shop. They lived at 170 Pontiac Road, Salem Township, MI. Emma died in 1936 when my mother was only 11 years old. I do have a copy of her death certificate that states she died from apoplexy with a contributing factor of high blood pressure.
The youngest of the girls was A. Ernestina Grayer. She would marry William Carl Scherdt. William was a woodworker who worked at Ann Arbor Machine Company. In a government form he completed he states that he is unable to serve in the service because he lost his right leg to his knee. He also states that they reside at 302 N. Fifth Avenue, Ann Arbor, MI.
Now, let’s travel 5 years forward from Grandma Grayer’s arrival in the states. The next part of the story seems VERY strange from our 2018 perspective, but was more common in 1877. You see, Grandma Grayer was only 15 years old on February 1st, 1877, when she married August Grayer who was 29 years old.
They had their first son Herman Grayer (my great uncle) on October 29, 1877. At the time of Herman’s birth, Grandma Grayer was only 16 years old!
The wedding records for Grandma Grayer and August Grayer list his name as August Frederick Kreuger. My mother told me a story about the Kreuger/ Grayer name story, but I was very young and do not recall all of the details. I do remember that there was some sort of divide and conflict in the Kreuger family and some of the folks including my great grandfather changed their last name to Grayer. I am so lucky that I took notes of this discussion. It is funny for me to look at my hand-writing from my days as a young teen. I recognize it as my junior high/high school penmanship.
I do not know if Grandma Grayer’s marriage was arranged. August was known to be a hard working farmer. He spent most of his time farming in Scio Township, MI but retired 8 years prior to his death and then lived at 404 N. Ashley Street, Ann Arbor, MI. This is more exact information on his place of birth: Hammer-Sandkrug, Posen Province, Prussia. He arrived in America when he was approximately 15 years old.
In 1879, Grandma Grayer was 17 years old. She had a new sister born the same year that she gave birth to her second child, a girl. Grandma Grayer’s second child was Whilimina L. “Minnie” Grayer was born on 23 April 1879. This was our “Aunt Minnie.” She married Frederick Gross. He was a merchant and first operated a store at 115 E. Liberty, Ann Arbor, MI and then at 309 S. Main Street, Ann Arbor, MI.
In the 1880 census, records indicate that Grandma Grayer and her husband August Grayer are living with their son Herman, and their daughter “Louise” (I believe that Louise is Great Aunt Minnie’s second name.) August’s 23 year old brother Fred Grayer is also living with them at the time of the census. (note: they also lived just 2 houses away from Grandma Grayer’s parents- The Wisthoff’s.) Some of Grandma Grayer’s sisters are younger than her own son Herman Grayer!
In 1880, there was a U.S. census taken. August is now 34 years old, and Grandma Grayer is 21 years old. August’s occupation was as a farmer and he states that his birth place and the birth place of his parents was Prussia. Grandma Grayer also lists her birth place and her parent’s birth place as Prussia. In this census year, Grandma Grayer’s father, William Wisthoff, was only 46. (Remember that Grandma Grayer was considerably younger than her husband which explains why William and August’s ages are so close together.)
Sometime after the census report was taken, Grandma Grayer had her 3rd child in 1880. This was her daughter Huldah Amelia Grayer born 26 November 1880 in Scio Township, Washtenaw County, MI. Huldah was obviously given her name as a namesake to Grandmother Grayer’s sister Huldah. This newest daughter of Grandma Grayer’s is our “Aunt Hud.”
The fashion of re-naming seems to run strongly in our family. Grandma Grayer herself was an Amelia (originally Emilie) and then named her daughter, my grandmother, Amelia (this was Grandma Pet.) I named my daughter Amy, a derivative of the name Amelia, and a name that is so beautiful to me and means, dearly loved, or beloved.
In 1882, Grandma Grayer was only 21 years old. She had her 4th child at this time, a son, Ernest August Grayer, born on 22 October 1882. Ernest would later move out of state to Washington. He married Tessie Viola Nienkirk. For some funny reason, I remember my mother saying these words as I scribbled them on a back of a photograph of him, “He left, and never came back.”
On 14 September 1885, Grandma Grayer gave birth to my “Grandmother Pet” who was Amelia Grayer. This was a truly beloved Grandmother. When I became a grandmother myself in 2012, I asked to be also called “Grandma Pet” as a tribute to this woman who was for me a form of truest love. I will write a blog on my Grandmother soon. She married Grover Cleveland Ream, a carpenter, in Ann Arbor.
In 1888, Grandma Grayer had a daughter Adelaide Amanda Grayer. She would marry Frederick Miller.
In 1897, Grandma Grayer’s father, William Wisthoff, died of consumption.
The youngest of Grandma Grayer’s children was “Aunt Babe.” This was Helen Mae Grayer born on May 20, 1890. She married Walter Mayer.
In the census of 1900, we see that Grandma Grayer confirms her entry date from Prussia as 1871. Her husband, August Grayer, who was by then a naturalized citizen, had immigrated in here in 1864. Because he is a citizen she would automatically have had that status also. August came from Hammer-Sandkrug, Posen Province, Prussia.
In 1908, there is a posting in the newspaper for the sale of August and Grandma Grayer’s 63 acre farm, 5 miles north of Ann Arbor.
By the census year 1910 under the name Wisthoff, we see that Grandma Grayer’s mother “Little Grandma” Ernestine Nevroth Wisthoff had stated that she immigrated in 1872 which is a year after Grandma Grayer arrived here in the states. This census also shows that Ernestine (Grandma Grayer’s mother) is living in Ann Arbor at 602 Goth Street (probably Gott Street that was misspelled). “Little Grandma” is living there with Grandma Grayer’s sister, A. Ernestine Grayer Scherdt and her son-in-law, William Carl Scherdt. “Little Grandma” lists her occupation as nurse. Her son-in-law, William’s occupation is ladder maker.
I also remember that my Grandma Grayer was a nurse. I think at this time in history, it might have been a learned skill rather than something obtained by years of education. Her mother was a nurse, and she might well have studied under her mother.
Also in the 1910 census, the birth location for Grandma Grayer and August Grayer has changed from Prussia to Germany. Grandma Grayer is now 49 years old and August is 61 years old.
In May of 1912, the paper announces that August Grayer and Grandma Grayer’s new home is almost ready to be moved in to. This will be the house at 404 N. Ashley, Ann Arbor, MI.
1917 must have been a very difficult year for Grandma Grayer. In July of that year, her mother (“Little Grandma”) passed away and then one month later in August, her husband August Grayer passed away too. By now Grandma Grayer is already 55 years of age.
Grandma Grayer re-married in 1920 and the marriage was brief, lasting only a few years. I believe it ended in divorce. She married Edward Osiander. He was employed at the time as a foreman at the Hoover Ball Plant. He had a previous divorce from a wife also named Amelia. My mother said this marriage was not talked about much in her presence.
In 1930, Grandma Grayer is living as the head of household at 404 N. Ashley and has 2 boarders. By this time, my mother, Gretchen Ream, who was a girl of 5 in 1930 was living at 520 N. Main Street, only a short walk to see her grandmother! My mother would lose her father in 1931. I do not know at what point Grandma Grayer came to live with Grandma Pet, my mother Gretchen Hess and my uncle Robert Ream on North Main Street, but my mother often recounted living with her Grandmother from childhood thru young adulthood. My guess is that she moved to North Main after Grover’s death, although it does look like she spent some time also at Uncle Herman’s house- just a block or so away.
The home on 520 N. Main was a house for lodgers. This was the livelihood of Grandma Pet (Amelia Grayer Ream.) The house was only a short walk to the downtown district and the University of Michigan.
Although Grandma Grayer lost part of her vision as she aged, I believe that at her time of death at age 93, she was living a full life. Photos of her at this age still show her with a crochet project in her hands.
Here are some of the addresses I have traced from Ann Arbor city directories for Grandma Grayer:
1910 Grayer, August (Amelia), lab, res. 400 Ashley N., Ann Arbor, MI – (So, just guessing that the lab means they are probably leasing this house. The home they were building at 404 N. Ashley, Ann Arbor, MI was not ready until 1912.)
1911 Grayer, August (Amelia), lab George Bischoff, res. 400 Ashley N., Ann Arbor, MI
1914 Grayer, August (Amelia), fireman George Bischoff, res. 404 N. Ashley Street, Ann Arbor, MI
1916 Grayer, August F. (Amelia) res. 404 N. Ashley Street, Ann Arbor, MI
1918 Grayer, Amelia (wid. August) res. 404 N. Ashley Street, Ann Arbor, MI
1920 Grayer, Amelia (wid. August) res. 404 N. Ashley Street, Ann Arbor, MI
1923 Osiander, Edward (Amelia) h. 404 N. Ashley Street, Ann Arbor, MI
1927 Grayer, Amelia (wid. August) res. 404 N. Ashley Street, Ann Arbor, MI (Mom was only 2 years old. N. Ashley Street was an easy few blocks from where Mom lived on N. Main.)
1938 Grayer, Amelia L. res. 502 N. Main, Ann Arbor, MI (so this means she is living in Uncle Herman’s home)
1939 Grayer, Amelia L. (wid. August) 520 N. Main, Ann Arbor, MI MI (so this means she is living in Grandma Pet’s home)
1945 Grayer, Amelia L. (wid. August) 520 N. Main, Ann Arbor,
Children of Grandma Grayer residences:
Herman:
1910 Grayer, Herman W. (Dell), steamfitter U of M, res. 502 N. Main, Ann Arbor, MI
1911 Grayer, Herman W. (Dell), fireman U of M, res. 502 N. Main, Ann Arbor, MI
1916 Grayer, Herman W. (Dell) h. 502 N. Main, Ann Arbor, MI – engineer
1927, Grayer, Herman W. (Luella D.) 502 N. Main, Ann Arbor, MI – power plant at U. of M.
1938 Grayer, Herman (Luella D.) 502 N. Main, Ann Arbor, MI – eng., U of M building and grounds dept.
1939 Grayer, Herman (Luella) h. 502 N. Main, Ann Arbor, MI
1945 Grayer, Herman (Luella) h. 502 N. Main, Ann Arbor, MI – eng. U of M
Minnie:
1904 Gross, Frederick W. (Minnie L.) clerk Jacob Lutz, Ren. 320 E. Madison
1937 Gross, Fred W. (Minnie L.) Fine tailoring, Woolens Direct from the looms, tested by the Better Business Bureau 401 First National Building, h 102 Crest, Ann Arbor, MI
Hulda:
1900 Grayer, Huldah, domestic 331 E. Liberty
1906 from a Detroit Directory– Grayer, Huldah, machine operator, rooms at 75 Church, Detroit, MI
Helen:
1910 Grayer, Helen, seamstress for Mack & Co., bds. at 400 Ashley North, Ann Arbor. (So this is the same house # and street name as Grandma Grayer’s- see above)
1911 Grayer, Helen, seamstress for Mack & Co., bds. at 400 Ashley North, Ann Arbor.
Grandma Pet (Amelia):
1900 (from the census records) There is a notation that Ernest Grayer (age 18) and Amelia Grayer (Grandma Pet, age 14) are living with Foster and Martha Brown in Ann Arbor Township. Ernest is a farmhand and Amelia (Grandma Pet) is a domestic.
1904 Grayer, Amelia, domestic, 509 E. Jefferson, Ann Arbor, MI
1906 Grayer, Amelia, 212 12th Ann Arbor, MI
1910 Grayer, Amelia, domestic 314 Huron E., Ann Arbor, MI
1911 Grayer, Amelia, domestic 314 Huron E., Ann Arbor, MI
1923 Ream, Grover C. (Amelia A.) contractor, 520 N. Main Street, Ann Arbor, MI h same
1924 Ream, Grover C. (Amelia) contractor carpenter, 520 N. Main Street, Ann Arbor, MI
1930 Ream, Grover (Amelia A.) building contractor, 547 S. 4th Ave. h do
I have spent quite a bit of time trying to find ancestry documents on the 4th great grandfather of my grandson. His name was George Eugene Heald, but he used his middle name “Eugene.”
Eugene was born on August 27, 1844, in Antwerp, Jefferson County, New York. His father, Nathan, was 29 and his mother, Adelia (Hoard) Heald, was 25 at the time of his birth.
Eugene was 21 years old when he married Agnes Hitt (the 4th great grandmother of my grandson). They had seven children together. It was their first born, Frances “Fannie” Adelia Heald, who would continue on my grandson’s direct ancestry.
The picture below is of Eugene’s 1st wife, Agnes Hitt Heald.
Later, Eugene would marry again to Angeline “Angie” Berriault. There were no children as a result of the 2nd marriage.
In a 1928 news article, Eugene is an elderly man and reflects and describes himself, “I am a regular down east Yankee.” He was describing the place of his birth and his origins. This wonderful news article from 20 August 1928, Green Bay Press-Gazette, gave me much of my information about Eugene. Here we find out that his father was part of the gold rush to California in 1848.” This made Eugene’s father absent for some time during Eugene’s early childhood. After his family moved to Missouri for a period of 4 years, they finally moved to Clay Banks, Wisconsin.
One way to piece together part of Eugene’s life is to study the U.S. Census records. In 1870 (age 25), he is living with his wife Agnes in New York and is employed as a teamster. The only children listed on this census record are Fannie (my grandson’s 3rd great grandmother) and Hattie. Sadly, Hattie died young. See news article:
In the 1870 census, Eugene is living in Clay Banks, Door County, Wisconsin. In the 1880 census, Eugene describes his occupation as a farmer. By the time of the 1900 census, he is married to his 2nd wife, Angeline. His first wife Agnes had died the year earlier in 1899.
Eugene was a soldier in the Civil War, but I have not found military records at this point.
News clipping below is from 20 May 1926 – Green Bay Press Gazette.
He died on August 10, 1930, in Algoma, Wisconsin, at the age of 85, and was buried in Door, Wisconsin. The tombstone marker lists his name, his first wife Agnes, their young child Hattie who died when she was only 2 years old, and also listed is his second wife.
Here is the order of descendency from Eugene to my son-in-law (the 3rd great grandson of Eugene Heald).
George “Eugene” HEALD (1844 – 1930) 3rd great-grandfather of son-in-law
telling life stories 